This website is my effort to share a bit of my personal, and professional, evolution with you. I would be thrilled to speak to your group about any of the topics listed under the Bookings tab…or to create a unique keynote or workshop especially designed for your population. As you explore the information, photos, and videos that you find here, know that there are two things I would especially love to share with your audience: one person CAN change the world, and hope absolutely matters.

Michele has been recognized by Congressman Elton Gallegly with a Special Congressional Recognition for her work in founding the Soaring Spirits Loss Foundation. She was awarded the 2011 Woman Today Award by the Ventura County Star, and was honored with the Simi Valley Community Foundation’s Humanitarian Award for 2010. Michele represented the Southern California region as their 2009 State Farm Insurance Embrace Life Award Honoree. She was a finalist for the Simi Valley Hospital Foundation 2009 Woman of the Year Award, and recognized by the Inspiration Room as one of their Women of the Month 2009.

Michele Neff Hernandez is the founding President, and Executive Director of the Soaring Spirits Loss Foundation. Soaring Spirits is a non-profit organization committed to providing resources and peer support to people grieving the loss of a loved one, with a special focus on those who are widowed. Michele is the creator, and Director, of the Camp Widow Program; a first of its kind event bringing together widowed people from across the country, and around the world, who are seeking to recreate their lives in the aftermath of the loss of a spouse or life partner.

Resilience Defined; Conversations about bouncing back and rising above.

This podcast series, developed by Michele Neff Hernandez, and TJ Anglin, features everyday people who have experienced truly incredible challenges from which they have learned some life changing lessons.

As a young woman entering into adulthood with lofty goals, sterling ideals, and great hope for the future I could have easily created a long list of my personal beliefs. This list would have included ideas about both the tangible and the intangible; broad concepts and specific ideals; God and mortal beings.

When I first was able to entertain the thought of marrying again after the death of my late husband, I was certain that I would fall to pieces when asked to utter the phrase, “till death do us part.” Those four words mean something completely different now…

Decision making was never difficult for me. Options don’t often confuse me, and once I have made a choice I rarely question myself. Over my lifetime I have come to realize that many people engage in a mental wrestling match with every decision they make, and I have regularly been grateful that my mind and I generally agree pretty quickly. And then came widowhood.

A comment made by a special friend about yesterday’s post got me thinking about the fact that people who have lost someone instrumental in their lives tend to view the world from a new, and unwanted, vantage point. After Phil’s death I remember thinking that death swooped in and stole my rose colored glasses…

Quotes“In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” - Albert Schweitzer

Recent Blog Posts

Michele Neff Hernandez told the audience gathered for the 11th annual Hats Off to Women luncheon that it was ironic to speak at an event to benefit the Simi Valley Hospital’s emergency room expansion project when her journey as a speaker and activist began in that same emergency room.

Michele Neff Hernandez of Simi Valley was named the recipient of the 2011 Women Today award. Hernandez is the founder and executive director of soaring Spirits Loss Foundation. She said earning such awards is a great way to get word out about her organization, which she founded four years ago when her husband died.

Tomorrow, Simi Valley streets will be the backdrop for the second annual Share the Road bike ride. The event is an effort by cyclists to build respect and consideration between motorists and themselves.

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About Me

Michele Neff Hernandez is the founding President, and Executive Director of the Soaring Spirits Loss Foundation. Soaring Spirits is a non-profit organization committed to providing resources and peer based support to people grieving the loss of a loved one.